Denver Broncos: Josh McDaniels’ 2009 Draft Class Nearly A Memory; 2012 Class Ready
It seems just like yesterday the Denver Broncos were coached by Josh McDaniels. He was the young, up and coming, most sought after offensive coordinator in the NFL who was leaving the New England Patriots and was ready to be the head coach of the Broncos.
During McDaniels’ tenure he managed to send rising star QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears in exchange for QB Kyle Orton, who never had more potential than an average NFL QB, two 1st-round picks (one in 2009 and 2010), and a 3rd-round pick in 2009. It wasn’t a terrible trade since Cutler was hard to deal with and the Broncos received several great picks, but McDaniels’ draft choices turned out to be horrendous to say the least.
McDaniels also traded superstar WR Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for 2nd-round picks in 2010 and 2011.
In the 2009 draft, McDaniels and the organization drafted RB Knowshon Moreno with the 12th overall pick and DE Robert Ayers with the 18th overall pick. There were eight more players drafted other than Moreno and Ayers, of which only DB David Bruton remains on the roster. Those other seven players have not made any real impact elsewhere in the NFL, either.
Moreno hasn’t been terrible when he’s been on the field, but he has missed 12 games over his last two seasons. Ayers has managed 4.5 sacks in his three seasons and has averaged just over two tackles in the games that he has played in. These two players have made an impact for the Broncos, but more as reserve players rather than what is expected from 1st-round draft choices.
The 2010 draft was a little more productive, but McDaniels saw the need to trade up into the 1st round in order to draft QB Tim Tebow, when it was expected that the Broncos most likely could have landed Tebow with their 2nd- or maybe even 3rd-round pick. We all know how the Tebow story ended.
These moves and a combined 11-17 record over two seasons led to McDaniels’ release as the team’s head coach.
There are new faces in town now with executive vice president of football operations John Elway and head coach John Fox. They are quickly starting to turn this franchise around with the signings of free agents and a productive draft in 2012. It looks like the end of the 2009 draft class is nearing as Moreno and Ayers may lose their roles on the team to 2012 draft picks RB Ronnie Hillman and DL Derek Wolfe.
I think that the Broncos won’t lose anything by playing Hillman and Wolfe over Moreno and Ayers. I am also a strong believer in playing the younger guys if they can produce the same or have the potential to produce more.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to try to renegotiate Moreno and Ayers’ contracts and try to keep them on as role players, but then again it may be best just to cut them loose so that McDaniels and his initial draft class will be a distant memory.
Please don’t forget to “rant” this article at the top right corner. Your opinions and thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Follow me on Twitter @Broncos_Media
Like me on Facebook @Mark Stringer – www.RantSports.com
Add me to your circle on Google + @Mark Stringer
Buy Denver Broncos Tickets | Buy Denver Broncos Apparel
6 Rants to “Denver Broncos: Josh McDaniels’ 2009 Draft C...”
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
A 2009 was a bad draft…other than Moreno. But 2010 was “a little more productive?” How about “half the offense.” Thomas Tebow Beadles Walton Decker…hey now…is it me or is that five starters in a row?
2010 was much better, but Tebow would have never made Decker and Thomas look as good as they are going to look this year with Manning. Trading up for Tebow will make a draft less productive than it should have been. Tebow should play fullback.
As a lifelong bronco fan (Craig Morton,Haven Moses,Lyle Alzado) were my guys back in the day also I am from Tennessee so SEC guys are close to my heart having said this we definetly have not seen the real Knowshon YET however I truly believe we will he needs to agree to restructure to make it easier to keep him Ayers as well historicly Denver has had good luck with SEC guys TD,Al Wilson, Champ and now Peyton given a chance Knowshon will come through he is that good injuries are what they are if this year does not Pan out cut bait. And. Go fishin simple as that the mistake of where they were drafted was not on them Ty Warren showed class in how to prove you wanna earn your keep Knowshon and Ayers shoul follow suit and be class act SEC guys they truly are!
I think Moreno has the ability as well. I also hope he proves himself and becomes a factor for the team.
Why would Knowshon Moreno restructure his contract in 2012? Moreno is slated to make only $800,000.00 this season. That is a bargain for any NFL team. Most of his contract has been paid out by way of a signing bonus.
Its the 2014 salary that is looming in the distance…he will perform better if he doesn’t want to be cut by 2014. Or he could restructure so he doesn’t get paid as much in 2014.